New High-Definition Footage Of The B-2 Is Otherwordly

Northrop Grumman just released never-before-seen video of its classic stealth bomber designed for the United States Air Force. Watch it and enjoy flying with the B-2 Spirit in stunning high-definition. Even though the design is now over 26 years old, this flying wing bomber still looks incredibly intimidating.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Northrop Grumman is no doubt attempting to generate some marketing buzz around their highly successful production run with the B-2, especially as the Department of Defense is ramping up development of the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B). LRS-B is an evolution of the Next-Generation Bomber (NGB) program that was seeking to create a new medium bomber for the Unites States Air Force. The NGB was originally projected to enter service around 2018 as a stealthy, subsonic, medium-range, medium-payload bomber to supplement and possibly—to a limited degree—replace the U.S. Air Force's aging bomber fleet. NGB was superseded by the Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) heavy bomber program.

The LRS-B, for which Northrop is competing, is a proposed long-range strategic bomber for the United States Air Force, intended to be a heavy-payload stealth aircraft capable of carrying thermonuclear weapons. The plane is supposed to be ready by the mid-2020s. The Air Force put out a request for proposal to develop the aircraft in July 2014, with a contract that was expected to be awarded in 2015. Announcement of the winning proposal has been delayed but the Air Force is expected to make a selection in the next couple months.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Northrop

The Air Force plans to purchase 80–100 LRS-B aircraft at a cost of $550 million each, at 2010 prices. Northrop Grumman is vying for military bids among heavy competition from worthy competitors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.